The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) announced today that Jim Mulhern, a veteran public affairs professional with three decades of government policy and communications experience in Washington, DC, will join the NMPF staff January 1st, 2013, as Chief Operating Officer.

Mulhern's position is a new one within NMPF. He will report directly to President & CEO Jerry Kozak and have direct oversight of the communications, government relations, and membership functions of the organization.

"As the scope of NMPF's activities has broadened in recent years, and as we plan for the future, we are fortunate to bring Jim on board to help the organization and its members with the significant challenges our industry is facing," Kozak said.

"Jim's deep knowledge of both the dairy industry and Capitol Hill, coupled with his demonstrated ability to get things done, will greatly benefit National Milk. His strategic insight and extensive network of contacts both inside and outside the Beltway perfectly complement our existing capabilities."

Mulhern has an extensive dairy industry background, including earlier work with NMPF. A Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Mulhern began his professional career working for a dairy cooperative in Madison.

Mulhern came to Washington, DC, to work on Capitol Hill in 1983. He first joined the staff of NMPF in 1985 before returning to Capitol Hill to serve as Chief of Staff to Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl. Mulhern has since worked in senior management positions for Fleishman-Hillard, the Fratelli Group, and Watson/Mulhern LLC. Throughout his time at each of these Washington, DC, public affairs companies, Mulhern maintained his relationship with NMPF by working as a consultant to the organization on numerous projects.

"I am very excited by the opportunity to return to NMPF in this leadership capacity," Mulhern said. "I have been privileged to work on issues of importance to the nation's dairy producers throughout my career, and I'm looking forward to expanding those efforts."

"We are pleased to welcome Jim back to NMPF next month, where he will bolster our team of professionals working on issues as diverse as farm policy, immigration reform, trade expansion, environmental regulation, animal care, and milk pricing," Kozak said.

About the National Milk Producers Federation

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF's 30 cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of more than 32,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.